I am Secwepemc and Sto:lo with mixed European heritage but was raised without traditional culture in the city. My family was forced to deny their ancestry to hide from residential schools. The inter-generational trauma in our family tree has created so much division. My generation has been searching and is finally reconnecting to our nations to reclaim our culture. For decades, I have been honoured to learn from Indigenous community and from Elders. I am now fortunate to learn from knowledge keepers and community. My brother is my teacher. He is the one who guides my artistic process. He teaches skills, but most importantly, he teaches me lessons. I stopped creating for 15 years. I left being a teenager and held on to all my trauma. Two years ago, my brother showed me once again that the arts are not about product, they are about creating. The life in my writing and art has given me purpose and healed my heart. I want to share this message with all of our community. The arts will help us heal. My brother is a visual artist and I create visual art as well. Over the last two years, I have been focussed on creating Indigenous poetry to reflect our healing, resilience and vitality. I hope it speaks to you and you embrace any form of art that brings you joy.

All my Relations.